Multiplication Strategies

In third grade it's pretty easy to say, multiplication is one of our biggest standards. So much of what we do envolves multiplication. This week we broke down how to solve multiplication problems in a variety of ways. The purpose in teaching a variety of ways, is so that students will have a bag of tools to help them solve problems. Some strategies make more sense to some while not to others. That's why it's so neat to get to teach 4 different strategies!

A bright yellow paper just like this should have come home today with students! Unfortunately, advanced math didn't get to make this organizer with us today.

Repeated addition

The first strategy we learned was repeated addition. When looking at the factors you will know what to add and how many times to add it.
For example:
5x4=
 5+5+5+5 adding 5 four times
Or
4+4+4+4+4 I am adding 4 five times
Either way you will get the same product!

Arrays

Arrays are like a grid set up in rows in columns. Just like repeated addition I need to look at my factors to find out how any rows and how many columns I will need.
5x4=   five rows with four columns

Number Lines

For number lines, it's really about making jumps and skip counting. We will use number lines a lot throughout the year, and this is a great way to get us started using them.

Equal Groups

And lastly is equal groups. Just like all the other strategies, you look at the factors to determine what you will need. With groups you will need a certain number of groups, as well as the amount that goes into each group.
For example:
5x4= five groups with four in each group.
Then students just need to count the number of marks total in each groups.

For tomorrow, we have a formative on the different strategies and students will be required to find the product using different strategies. Aside from the formative, students get to use which ever formative works best for them! But as far as multiplication goes, it's easiest just to get your facts down!